Insulated Hydronic Piping Systems

An insulated hydronic piping system has to be able to supply the hydronic heat transfer fluid to the heat exchangers in the buildings at a designed flow and temperature in order to ensure that the appropriate Btu is delivered in order for the heat exchanger to perform properly.

Things that can adversely affect the insulated piping systems performance:

     1) The insulated  piping system needs to provide reasonable insulation between the hydronic piping and the surrounding environment in order to be able to deliver the maximum amount of heat to the buildings with minimal heat loss. (we have actually talked to people who have installed their piping with no insulation and had a heat loss of 40 degrees between the boiler supply temperature and the temperature of the heat transfer fluid as it enters the building)

     2) In applications with high ground table moisture is present the insulated piping system needs to provide moisture protection so that heat is not "wicked" away from the piping system.

     3) The insulated piping system must provide reasonable insulation between the supply and return lines of the hydronic piping in order to be able to guarantee the delivery of the required Btu at the designed temperature to the buildings (with out the return temperature line cooling the supply temperature line!)

     4) Improperly sized hydronic line can create a situation where a hydronic pump cannot possibly deliver the required Btu to the building. Ensure that your piping system and pump(s) have been properly sized by a qualified hydronic heating professional!